Jakarta – Police uncover ancient statue theft syndicate

Central Java Police has uncovered a syndicate that has stolen two ancient statues from Plaosan Buddhist temples in Klaten near Yogyakarta and arrested three men responsible for the theft.

The suspects, identified as Sumarno, Sumanto and Setiartoro, will be charged under the 1992 Cultural Heritage Conservation Law, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said Monday the police had found 32 statues at Sumanto’s home, some of which were ancient, including the heads of the Bodhisatwa and Dhyani Buddha statues that date back to the 9th century ruled by the Syailendra dynasty.

During questioning Sumanto insisted that he had inherited the statues from his parents.

Alex said Sumarno led the police to Sumanto, who had ordered the theft and promised to pay generously for the two ancient statues. Sumarno told the police, however, that he and Setiartoro received only Rp 1 million from Sumarno for the two statues.

To prevent any future theft of cultural heritage, the police will improve cooperation with the provincial archaeological heritage management agency.

Head of the Radya Pustaka Museum in Surakarta, Darmodipuro, was sentenced to one-and-a-half years in June last year for his role in the theft of six ancient statues. Businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo was found not guilty in the case despite his possession of the archaeological items, as the judges considered him a victim of an ancient statue dealer.

Police uncover ancient statue theft syndicate
Suherdjoko , The Jakarta Post , Klaten, Central Java | Mon, 01/04/2010 10:10 PM | National
Central Java Police has uncovered a syndicate that has stolen two ancient statues from Plaosan Buddhist temples in Klaten near Yogyakarta and arrested three men responsible for the theft.
The suspects, identified as Sumarno, Sumanto and Setiartoro, will be charged under the 1992 Cultural Heritage Conservation Law, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said Monday the police had found 32 statues at Sumanto’s home, some of which were ancient, including the heads of the Bodhisatwa and Dhyani Buddha statues that date back to the 9th century ruled by the Syailendra dynasty.
During questioning Sumanto insisted that he had inherited the statues from his parents.
Alex said Sumarno led the police to Sumanto, who had ordered the theft and promised to pay generously for the two ancient statues. Sumarno told the police, however, that he and Setiartoro received only Rp 1 million from Sumarno for the two statues.
To prevent any future theft of cultural heritage, the police will improve cooperation with the provincial archaeological heritage management agency.
Head of the Radya Pustaka Museum in Surakarta, Darmodipuro, was sentenced to one-and-a-half years in June last year for his role in the theft of six ancient statues. Businessman Hashim Djojohadikusumo was found not guilty in the case despite his possession of the archaeological items, as the judges considered him a victim of an ancient statue dealer.